NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
Why Obi Mikel & Chukwueze were left out of the Nigerian squad for the upcoming AFCON Qualifier
Nigeria have already qualified for the 2019 AFCON finals to be held in Egypt later this year. In this piece, we provide an analysis as to why the Super Eagles have more to gain by leaving out former Chelsea midfielder, Obi Mikel and the highly rated Spanish La Liga youngster, Samuel Chukwueze.
The most notable omissions from the latest Nigerian national team squad include the captain, John Obi Mikel and the young sensation Samuel Chukwueze. The Super Eagles are to play a 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier and international friendlies during the international break this week. We analyse if it’s a cause for concern for the former Chelsea player and whether Chukwueze will ever be considered in the future.
John Obi Mikel
John Obi Mikel of Nigeria drives the ball during an international friendly match between Argentina and Nigeria at Krasnodar Stadium on November 14, 2017 in Krasnodar, Russia.
(Nov. 14, 2017 - Source: Epsilon/Getty Images Europe)
There are three important pointers to John Obi Mikel’s situation:
Obi’s move to Middlesbrough. The Nigerian captain decided to move back to England from the Chinese Super League in the wake of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The player became a free agent in November after representing Tianjin TEDA for almost two years. He has been trying to get back to his best competing in a more challenging competition and his move to Middlesbrough presented him that opportunity. He, however, has to adapt to the league which is probably why the Nigerian coach, Gernot Rohr, omitted him for the upcoming matches. Managers are supposed to take care of their players and make sure they are in their element for the team to succeed. Rohr probably saw the need to give Obi Mikel some time to allow his smooth transition to the English Championship before calling him back up to the squad.
Current form. To be honest, his form has not been great. For a manager to justify the decision of calling up a player to the national team, the primary indicator that everyone looks at, is the player’s current form. Mikel has played only 7 matches since November 2018 which can arguably suggest a lack of match fitness. Also, in those 7 matches, he has been far from his best recording an average of 1 interception, 1.3 clearances and a little over 2 tackles per match as part of his defensive contribution. Whereas, other players in his position like Wilfred Ndidi are clocking 5 tackles, 4 interceptions and 2 clearances per match. Clearly, Obinna Mikel has not done enough to warrant a call up. Picking Obi Mikel in a team with players working their socks off like Ndidi would not make sense to the public eye.
His Age. This can not go unmentioned. John Obi Mikel is not young anymore. He's a 31-year old defensive midfielder who is not playing in a top-flight football league. Relying on a player of his age should be concerning for a country like Nigeria who pride themselves in developing a sustained pool of talented African players. Instead of relying on an old horse, the country should be preparing for life after the player who captained the Super Eagles at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, hence the omission from the latest squad announced by Gernot Rohr. It might be that they don't see him as an integral part of the team which should be fine considering the player is winding down his career.
I'm not really surprised at the decision after considering these three pointers. The odds have not been on Obi’s favor of late.
Samuel Chukwueze
For the young kind, we also have three points that should be considered:
Chukwueze’s competition. Before we cause a scene on social media, we need to look at the players that have been picked by Rohr ahead of the Villarreal player. Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa, Henry Onyekuru and Samuel Kalu have all been in better form than the young wing-wizard who is plying his trade in the Spanish La Liga. If he had scored and assisted a couple of more goals, Samuel Chukwueze would be giving Gernot Rohr a headache on whether or not to start him ahead of the rest.
Style of Play. This is a tricky one. There are players that are a joy to watch and Chukwueze is one of them. He has the confidence of carrying the ball and running at defenders which keeps fans at the edge of their seats. If anything, Chukwueze has been the closest thing to Victor Moses at his prime when he had the swagger of pulling out a trick or two to beat defenders before rushing into the box. However, one has to consider if these attributes are what the team needs. On the pitch, the team needs balance and this requires a lot from the players. Chukwueze lacks the defensive edge as well as crossing abilities which are a must for a modern day winger. Although he can pull some magic out of nowhere, the player is still growing in the basics that warrant a player of a starting berth, which is why Rohr might have opted not to include him this time around.
His Age. At 20-years, Chukwueze definitely has a lot to learn. He is far from being the finished product, meaning he has a lot of time to work on his weaknesses and make a claim for a place in the Super Eagles squad. It's too soon to be worried about his lack of involvement in the national team but with a few more stellar performances like the one against Real Madrid, we will stop caring about his age and demand his presence in the starting team like Mbappe in the French national team.
“Chukwueze’s competition. Before we cause a scene on social media, we need to look at the players that have been picked by Rohr ahead of the Villarreal player. Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa, Henry Onyekuru and Samuel Kalu have all been in better form than the young wing-wizard who is plying his trade in the Spanish La Liga.”
Nigeria have already qualified for the 2019 AFCON finals to be played between June-July in Egypt. They will welcome Seychelles for their final group game whereas South Africa and Libya have all to play for as thy cross swords to determine the second finalist from the group.
This may be Iwobi's best chance to build a legacy at Arsenal. Can he seize it?
The 22-year-old Nigerian international clearly has the manager’s backing, as well as age and talent on his side when faced with the task of becoming one of Arsenal’s key players. But the time may be now or never for him to take the next step and secure his place at the club.
“The young forward is at a point in his career where he could either grow to be one of the team’s crucial players or slip at it and gets to be shipped off to some mid-table or less popular European club like many of the academy’s graduates. ”
The once mighty Arsenal, most infamous for the legendary invincibles season where they finished the 2003-04 Premier League season unbeaten and clinched the English top flight’s ultimate prize, find themselves in a rebuilding phase.
Alex Iwobi of Arsenal runs with the ball during the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Qarabag FK and Arsenal at on October 4, 2018 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
(Oct. 3, 2018 - Source: Francois Nel/Getty Images Europe)
Central to that process is the Spanish coach, Unai Emery who came in and got the boys running a little bit harder, literally. As the serial Europa League trophy winner, three times with Sevilla, seeks to implement his methods at the Emirates - he finds himself in a position where he has to wait for the necessary funding to acquire his preferred players and temporarily make do with what and who’s available. One such player is the 22-year-old Arsenal Academy Graduate, who won 190 million hearts by choosing to represent Nigeria when he could have played for England’s Three Lions. The young forward is at a point in his career where he could either grow to be one of the team’s crucial players or slip at it and gets to be shipped off to some mid-table or less popular European club like many of the academy’s graduates. He first broke into the first team at the age of 18 in 2015 and has since scored 12 goals and served up 17 assists in 110 appearances for the club. During Arsene Wenger’s tenure, the Nigerian international was limited to playing first substitute to the world cup winner, Mesut Ozil and at times deployed on either wings to fill in for injured players or for the purposes of rotating the squad. Even then, his potential was palpable to all and had everyone keep their fingers crossed that the kid gets more chances to write his story, perhaps even follow or surpass the milestones reached by other Nigerians before him, I am talking about Arsenal’s Nwankwo Kanu and his uncle, Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha. The latter, who was so good that the Leeds fans found his talent as an explanation for him to be named twice.
In Unai Emery’s first season, Iwobi has already scored as much league goals as any of his past three Arsenal seasons with 3 goals and 4 assists in the league. More importantly, he is already just 3 more appearances shy of the highest total of 26 he got under Wenger for the past two seasons, with more than 10 matches left. Contextually, his 15 starts are actually one more than those of the talisman, Mesut Ozil. It’s all largely due to the fact that Emery’s game plan hinges on having pacey, pressing and direct wingers who can run up and down the pitch, which the club doesn’t have in abundance. Iwobi possesses the required attributes but still struggles in getting the final ball right or clinically finishing chances. Unai has had to be more patient with the forward who played as a striker or an attacking midfielder for the better part of his young career. The Nigerian is likely to continue getting more chances at least until the Spanish manager gets his needed players which gives ample time for the forward to prove he belongs and that he can become a club legend. If he does it right, Emery will probably use the funds to strengthen other areas, especially the almost transparent defence wall, and we will be looking at probably 4 years in his current Arsenal contract of pure domination and Nigerian flair.
The chance obviously has an expiry date and it’s up to Iwobi to beat the clock and claim his place. Will he?
Iwobi & Aubameyang: African duo hit top form in Arsenal's 5-1 rout of Fulham
After a tough start to the season, Arsenal fans are now on cloud nine. The premier league side’s recent record of nine wins on the bounce has culminated with Gabonese international, Aubameyang and Naija boy Iwobi hitting scintillating form. Check out how they are doing it.
Not so long ago, some doubts were cast over the futures of the Arsenal players as Arsene Wenger approached the exit door. Iwobi for example, was a scapegoat whenever the club did not perform at the expected level. The English fans could not understand why the African youngster was playing at a club like Arsenal but the new coach saw something in him that not many saw. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang was a welcome signing because of the quality he brings to the club but there was some pushback because of his proposed signing fee reported to be around £56 million. These were some of the challenges that Unai Emery inherited when he replaced Arsene Wenger who had been at the club for 22-years and has managed to create something positive out of it all. He’s got them to perform on the pitch.
Iwobi
Alex Iwobi of Arsenal battles for possession with Denis Odoi of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on October 7, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
(Oct. 6, 2018 - Source: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images Europe)
Arguably one of Arsenal’s best players already this season. The 22-year-old Nigerian is looking a different player this season since being converted to an out-and-out winger. He has been confident taking on defenders with an average of 3.5 dribbles per game in the UEFA Europa League. These dribbles did not go unseen as the Arsenal Manager rewarded him with a deserved start again in the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Fulham. A second start in the new campaign since the Chelsea game.
Iwobi’s ability to create chances has not been in question. On top of that, his work rate has been crucial to Unai Emery’s philosophy at Arsenal. The Spanish manager believes in an intensive pressing game with the wingers and the forward as the protagonists. Iwobi has not been shy to track back and apply pressure when out of possession. It is this attribute that has seen him being preferred over Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Nigerian is putting the Arsenal badge first which has resulted in heaps of praise from objective football fans across Great Britain.
After 9 games, Arsenal have won 7 and lost just 2. Iwobi has provided 3 assists and scored one goal. His numbers have not done justice to his performance this season as he has been one of the most on-form players. Iwobi is finally living up to the promise. Could he go on to have an amazing career like his uncle Jay Jay Okocha? “Who was so good” that Bolton Wanderers fans “had to name him twice”.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal with Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on October 7, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
(Oct. 6, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)
Aubameyang
The Gabonese international is another African who has taken English football by storm this season. He had suffered a rough patch at the beginning of the season having failed to score from glorious chances against Manchester City and Chelsea. He has however, found top form after gaining confidence in the UEFA Europa League. Aubameyang has since scored 6 goals and provided 1 assist in 9 matches. The 29 year old forward is looking potent in front of goal.
Unai Emery has also been bold enough to bench him on 3 occasions but he has managed to come off the bench and be an impact player. Aubameyang’s pace alone is enough to deal with for a defender let alone his trickery and an eye for goal. His unselfishness has helped bring out the best in strike partner, Alexandre Lacazette. The duo have been working together for the good of Arsenal. There is surely more to come from him. There is a lot of buzz around Auba-Lacca becoming the deadliest duo in the premier league.
Conclusion
Arsenal is on the up, in part because these guys are doing their job in the side. Their form has rubbed off their teammates and the London club is looking a different side to the one that struggled to break down teams away from home last season. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Iwobi are working their socks off for the team. They do deserve some praise.
“The 22-year-old Nigerian is looking a different player this season since being converted to an out-and-out winger. He has been confident taking on defenders with an average of 3.5 dribbles per game in the UEFA Europa League.”
FT Hidden Gem Series: Who is Tinotenda Kadewere?
The young Zimbabwe warriors striker is quite just a pin in the haystack of global football right now. But he helped Swedish outfit Djugardens to a an unlikely title, won the COSAFA prize with his nation and got signed by French Ligue 2 side this summer, Le Havre. What we see in him, we have seen in many other younger players that left a mark, he is on the up.
More often than not, people focus on the players that are already known in the most famous leagues in Europe. Not many of us take time to appreciate a rare talent that continues to escape the radar. Look at Jamie Vardy for instance, he shined in England at the age of 28, but who knew about him before then? In this piece, we look at a certain talent from the country of Zimbabwe before he blows up and becomes one of your favorite African players in no time. Here’s what Tinotenda Kadewere is about.
Background
Tino Kadewere was born on the 5th of January in 1996. He started his career at Harare City in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League at the age of 18 where he scored 7 goals just halfway into his debut campaign. In 2014, he left Harare City for Djugardens on a loan deal with an obligation to buy him on a 4-year-long deal. It is at the Swedish club that he started to grow not only in terms of his technical abilities but also his physique. Two years down the line, the Zimbabwean striker was a few inches taller and staking a claim for a place in the AFCON games played in Gabon. Although he failed to make an appearance in the tournament, he was inspired by his involvement in the dressing room and he sought to use that experience to push for further success at his club, Djugardens. Tinotenda famously scored 4 goals for Djugardens in a single league match which is a record that had not been matched since 1978. This summer, French Ligue 2 side, Le Havre scooped him from the Swedish team for a fee reported to be in the region of $2.5 million.
Photo: Kenta Jönsson/Bildbryan
On his move
Tinotenda was excited to take the next step in his football career by moving to the French side in July 2018. Who wouldn’t be? This is the country where players like Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane, George Weah, Didier Drogba etc. made a name for themselves. This league also worked as a stepping stone for them when they eventually made their big moves to clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Chelsea. This should be very encouraging to the young player who is hungry for success. He said, “It’s good news for me as a footballer to make another step, but it’s also bad news because I don’t know how I will live in France without all these Djurgardens people.” He was obviously emotional about leaving the club that showed faith in him when he was just a teenager and gave him the chance to play European football.
On his attributes
Tino Kadewere’s favorite position is centre forward. He is an Aubameyang-type of a striker who works best on the shoulders of the defense and can use his lethal pace to beat his markers before scoring goals. It is no surprise that he had already scored 8 goals in 12 matches this season with his pace a menace for defenders in the Swedish First Division. His physique has been growing by the years and he no longer looks like someone who could be budged off the ball like many strikers of his age.
Just like many talented players, he is also capable of playing in a number of positions on the pitch. His pace and trickery also warrants him a place on either flanks because Kadewere is confident that he can beat any defender as long as he has the ball in his feet. These attributes are the reasons why he was deployed on the flanks during his High School years. Obviously, he is no Jay Jay Okocha with the ball yet but the sky is the limit for the 22-year-old Zimbabwean. It is easy to see how this type of player can fit in the squads of the big teams around Europe. Real Madrid have one in Lucas Vazquez who comes off the bench as an impact player. Even Arsenal have that in Alex Iwobi who offers something different from the flanks. Maybe Tino could be that for a team like Chelsea in England or Atletico Madrid in Spain.
On his Injury
If you did not know, Tino Kadewere picked up an injury which was later revealed to be internal ligament damage in his left knee. He had this to say about his injury, “It is obviously boring but it is also part of the football at the same time. Now, the only thing that matters to me is to fix this and come back even stronger.” This injury did not scare off interest from Le Havre who still invested in his services despite the fact that the player was facing 8-10 weeks on the sidelines. It is quite rare to find in football that a club pays so much money for a young player let alone someone who is injured. However, they are confident in his ability and potential to become a great player for the club and rightly so. Tino is a player on the rise.
Achievements:
The 22-year old guided his old club, FC Djugardens to the 2017/18 Svenska Cupen on the 10th of May, 2018. He scored four of the 14 goals by the club in the tournament. This trophy was the first title for the club since 2013.
Kadewere won the COSAFA Cup (a tournament organized by the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations) with his nation on the 9th of June 2018 just a month after lifting a trophy with his club. The young forward scored a brace in the final against Zambia and provided one in a 4-2 victory for the Warriors of Zimbabwe.
FT African Legends Series: Salif Keita, a forgotten hero?
We reminisce the days of “The Black Pearl of Bamako,” the player who scored goals for fun in the Ligue 1, La Liga and pioneered the conquest of the Major League Soccer for players close to retirement.
African football has much to thank for the legacy of a certain Salif Keita who played in Europe between 1967 and 1980. There is another famous person who goes by the name Salif Keita but he is an Afro-pop singer-songwriter from Mali. Our FirstTouch Legend Keita, is the uncle to the Seydou Keita who played for Barcelona recently. Let’s take you through the career of the goal scoring machine that earned our African Football Legendary status.
Background
Also known as ‘The Black Pearl of Bamako’, Salif Keita was born in Mali in December 1946. He moved to France in 1967 to pursue his career in soccer at AS Saint-Etienne where he won three Ligue 1 titles. Keita scored an astonishing 71 league goals in his two seasons at the club. He moved on to fellow Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille in 1972 after scoring 42 goals in his last season for his former club and failing to win any silverware. His time at Marseille was cut short after the club tried to force him to assume French nationality so that he could represent them on the international scene. Keita was a proud African and he refused those advances which saw him leaving for the Spanish side, Valencia. Racism was still rife during those days which is evidenced by a headline which read, “Valencia goes out to buy Germans and comes back with a black man.” However, he was loved by his new club who gave him the nickname, ‘La Perla Negra de Mali’ which translates to The Black Pearl of Mali. He later played for Sporting Clube de Portugal before moving to New England Tea Men in the MLS where he retired at the age of 34.
Contribution To The Game
Salif Keita was one of the first soccer players that shone in the Number 10 jersey and made it as famous as it is today. He dazzled fans in Europe with his amazing dribbling ability carrying that number at the back which inspired many players who followed. Soccer greats like Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane, and others have worn this shirt which is respected and usually reserved for the best players on the team. Without Keita carrying 10, the jersey might not have been as significant as it is present day football. The game has evolved over the years but much respect should be reserved for the Malian striker who left a mark in the sport which many now call their religion.
Soccer took its time to rise up in terms of popularity within the US. Many suggested that the culture in the country is a major reason why this is. They alluded that Americans are generally interested in sports in which there are a lot of scores. This affected their perception of soccer which sometimes has matches that end in goalless draws. During Salif Keita’s time, however, this would not have been a concern. The striker was famous for scoring goals. As mentioned earlier he scored a total of 71 goals in two seasons during his stint at AS Saint-Etienne. He was a joy to watch. These numbers are difficult to match in the present day with only a handful of players reaching these numbers on a consistent basis.
Salif Keita left a legacy in the game. His nephew Seydou Keita carried the family torch after him as he played for Barcelona under Pep Guardiola. As football fans, nothing beats the feeling we get when we see a young player following in the footsteps of our former heroes. Think of Jay-Jay Okocha for example, and his nephew Iwobi. These youngsters are adored in the sport because they bring memories of players who shed their sweat, blood, and tears to entertain the millions of soccer fans who watch the games. Salif Keita was one of the players who inspired their family members to play soccer and supported them throughout their career. We have him to thank for that.
If you were wondering what type of a striker he was, think of Cristiano Ronaldo. Keita was ruthless in front of goal but also had the composure and trickery to create space for himself and beat opponents before rifling in a shot past the goalkeeper. He was also versatile and could play anywhere up front. If you recall how Edinson Cavani adjusted his game during his early years at PSG where he played out wide, that paints a picture of how Keita was when he was asked to play for Valencia. He had a football brain so it was easy for him to play in any position.
Image Credit: Bamada.net
Today, many players are seen moving to the MLS in the later stages of their career. Football greats such as Kaka, Steven Gerrard, David Beckham, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have all plied their trade in the US in their 30s. This was started by Keita who moved to the MLS in 1979 and has become a trend for many star players who are looking for some competition before retirement. The Malian forward has clearly left a mark on the game of soccer.
Also, we look at his ranking among FirstTouch African Legends. It is only fair to compare him with fellow African players who played in the same position. There are probably just three players ahead of him i.e. Eto’o, Rodger Milla and Didier Drogba. This is only because these other players were more consistent than him and played on the biggest stage for a long time. They also managed to win multiple African Player of the Year awards as compared to Keita’s sole accolade awarded in 1970.
Life After Football
In 1994, Keita created the first training center for professional football players in Mali
June 2005, he was elected president of the Mali Football Federation
A year later, the Confederation of African Football selected him as one of the best 200 African Soccer players of the past 50 years
Since 2007, he has been acting as a delegated minister of the Prime Minister of Mali
Relive the Weekend’s Best Moments: Mane Marches On
Iwobi and Sadio Mane on the scoresheet for Arsenal and Liverpool respectively. Nigeria’s Leon Balogun’s Brighton beats Manchester United on his debut
Is Sadio Mane’s new number 10 shirt working the magic?
Liverpool forward, Sadio Mane seems to be enjoying the new shirt number he is wearing this season. The number that is synonymous to greatness in modern football, offered to only those with the guts to walk the talk.
He continued his wonderful 2018/19 form, showing incredible physicality to stay on his feet after a challenge by Van Aanholt in the box, rounding off the goalkeeper to score the Reds’ second in their 2-0 win away at Crystal Palace. He is currently sitting pretty on the scoring charts, top with three goals after two matches. The same number as Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.
Sadio Mane of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park on August 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
(Aug. 19, 2018 - Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Are we in for a real African treat with Mohamed Salah, Aubameyang and Mahrez also expected to make a mark? I guess we will soon find out.
Relive the Weekend’s Best Moments: Iwobi’s shaku-shaku
Iwobi and Sadio Mane on the scoresheet for Arsenal and Liverpool respectively. Nigeria’s Leon Balogun’s Brighton beats Manchester United on his debut
Iwobi shows off some slick trendy dance moves after scoring against Chelsea
Unai Emery’s start to life at the Emirates has not been the best. The Spaniard is still waiting for his first Premier League win with Arsenal, post-Wenger era. One player who has shown signs of more life and perhaps hinting at unleashing the potential which many believe he has is Alex Iwobi. Just a few weeks after signing a contract extension at the Emirates, Iwobi took it to the pitch and backed up his credentials on the pitch. After being awarded his first start under Emery against Chelsea, Iwobi delivered an encouraging performance that included rapid dribbling on the left wing, menacing runs and all crowned by a super right-footed finish in the box after a string of about nineteen passes by the Gunners.
My highlight was the trending Naija shaku-shaku dance moves he showed off after the goal that lighted up his Nigerian brothers and sisters, at home and abroad. Even though the dance was short-lived with counter-celebrations by his teammates, Nigeria got enough to feel proud.
Arsenal players celebrate after Alex Iwobi's winning penalty after a penalty shoot out during the Pre-season friendly International Champions Cup game between Arsenal and Chelsea at Aviva stadium on August 1, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland.
(July 31, 2018 - Source: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Europe)
Iwobi had the option to represent his country of birth, England, internationally but chose to wear the Super Eagles jersey, the country of origin for his parents. He has actually made a debut appearance in a Nollywood movie called Inpadisu whose release date is yet to be announced.
Arsenal win on Wenger’s last match
Arsenal’s striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang pictured before scoring his 10th English Premier League goal in Arsene Wenger’s last match for the club against Huddersfield at John Smith’s Stadium on Sunday May 13, 2018 in West Yorkshire, England.
Arsenal’s long-reigning manager, Arsene Wenger, took charge of his last match as the boss on Sunday against Huddersfield away from home. The club had not collected a single point since the turn of the year and were looking to end on a more favorable note in the Frenchman’s last match. A strong line-up was announced for the away side which saw an attacking trio of Aubameyang, Lacazette, and Mkhitaryan lead the line ahead of Ramsey, Iwobi, and Granit Xhaka. Nerves were flying high for the Arsenal team who were out to prove a point that they have potential to be great again under the right tutelage of a competent manager. Huddersfield had a better start and looked to spoil the party for Wenger’s farewell celebrations as Tom Ince failed to bury home a cut-back from Alex Pritchard. As the match progressed, two planes flew over the stadium paying tribute to Arsene Wenger. One had the hashtag #OneArseneWenger and the other with a message, “Merci Arsene. We’ll miss you too.”
It was such an emotional match and the manager’s last signing ever, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang stole the show as he finished off an Aaron Ramsey pass on the 38th minute. The Gabon international was out to thank the manager for believing in him and allowing him the opportunity to test himself out in the English Premier League. This goal against Huddersfield means that Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang has scored a total of 10 Premier League goals. The forward has already proved a gem for the team and the next manager would have to find ways to make him play against Lacazette because he can also create goals having assisted 4 since January. Arsenal resisted a couple of efforts from Huddersfield to grind out Arsene Wenger’s 716th win as well as picking up the club’s first points in 2018. It would have been better if he managed to win the UEFA Europa League this season but his team was eliminated by Atletico Madrid in the semifinals. We are grateful that he leaves the club with other memories such as winning the English Premier League in the 2001/02 season without losing a single match. Au revoir Arsene!
So near but yet so far for CSKA Moscow as they are knocked out by Arsenal
Arsenal came from behind to draw the match 2-2 away from home
Arsenal went into the match with what they thought was a comfortable win after beating CSKA Moscow 4-1 at home. The club did not have Xhaka and Mkhitaryan who have been crucial to their success in the Europa League thus far. Elneny started in midfield with Wilshere and Ramsey and it was the Egyptian who would save Arsenal on the night. The match kicked off and the English side showed they were not interested in attacking because of the way they were playing the sideways passes. The gunners did not invest much into the first half with their closest chance of scoring only came from Lacazette who got his shot blocked for a corner kick. The belief of a win started to grow on the Russian side as the team started to take shots at Petr Cech. The aging goalkeeper eventually conceded a goal in the 39th minute when Chalov tapped into the net after Cech had punched the ball out from a shot and his defenders did not react quick enough. Kristijan Bistrovic’s furious half-volley shot almost made it 2-0 before the break but it sailed just wide. After the break, Moscow scored the second through Nababkin with an almost similar goal to the first. Egyptian midfielder, Mo Elneny, took up the responsibilities of creating chances in a match were Ozil was marked as he played a nice one-two with Welbeck before sliding a beautiful through ball that was coolly finished by the English forward. Danny Welbeck deserved that goal after doing the most of the defender who was marking him on the left flank prior to the goal. Ramsey scored the second for the gunners to make it 2-2 when Elneny again, slid a ball that passed two defenders and was met by the Welshman who chipped the ball over the goalkeeper. Many expected him to pass it to Ozil there who was in a better position to score but who cares now that the ball is in the back of the net. Another African player rescues an English club’s dream of European glory this season. One must wonder how much talent really is in that continent when these big clubs still wait for the African players to save them.
Atletico Madrid played Lisbon in the same competition today and lost the match 1-0. This means that they have gone through with a 2-1 aggregate. Both Atletico Madrid and Arsenal will be hoping to avoid each other in the semifinals. The UEFA Europa League draw will be held on Friday and only then will we find out about the teams that will face each other. Marseille and RB Salzburg are the other teams who have made it to this stage. Good luck at the draw!
Arsenal win 3-2 against Southampton
Aubameyang continues his fine start
The Arsenal side that has been largely disappointing this season conceded a goal on the 17th minute. Mustafi was at fault for not paying attention to Shane Long behind him who ran ahead of the defender and pocked the ball into the back of the net to give an early lead to the visitors. Petr Cech was furious at the defender for sleeping in the match and the gunners required their star signing to save them. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang scored next in the match to bring the teams level on scores. This goal means that the striker has scored 6 goals and provided 1 assist in the 7 games that he has played in ever since joining Arsenal in the winter transfer window. This is a record matched by no other player in the history of the club. Indeed, it is a great start for the African player. Danny Welbeck followed that up with a fine goal for himself when he cut inside from the left and scored a deflected shot past the Southampton goalkeeper. Both teams created opportunities to score more before and after the break. Charlie Austin was brought on from the bench and was met by Cedric’s cross to score for Southampton just 2 minutes after coming on. Welbeck squandered an opportunity to score his second of the night when he was set up through on goal with a pass from Wilshere which he blazed over from less than 3 yards out. He finally redeemed himself as he scored Arsenal’s third on the 81st minute by heading in Iwobi’s cross. The match saw some controversial decisions as Stephens got a red card on the 92nd minute for a clash with Wilshere which saw him take down the Arsenal man to the floor. Elneny also got his marching orders a minute later for shoving Cedric. This result means that Arsenal have closed the gap on Chelsea to just three points as the blues drew 1-1 against West Ham United.